Chiefs (5-1) at Broncos (2-3)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Empower Field at Mile High, Denver TV: CBS
Danny Sheridan’s line: Chiefs by 9
Broncos’ keys to victory: QB Drew Lock needs to spread the ball around. Denver has two Pro Bowl running backs in Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay, an explosive rookie wide receiver in Jerry Jeudy and a rising star in TE Noah Fant. Chiefs’ linebackers have struggled in coverage, so Lock should target Fant over the middle and look to hit Gordon and Lindsay out of the backfield. Jeudy and fellow WR Tim Patrick will stretch the defense on the outside.
Chiefs’ keys to victory: Denver’s secondary features rookie CB Michael Ojemudia, who has performed relatively well but hasn’t faced a quarterback like Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes should test Ojemudia when he’s up against WR Mecole Hardman, which could prove to be a mismatch. Kansas City should also aim to get their two talented running backs – Le’Veon Bell and Clyde Edwards-Helaire – plenty of action. K.C.’s defense should look to shut down the run, forcing Lock to beat them with his arm.
Matchup to watch: Chiefs DB Tyrann Mathieu vs. Broncos WR Jeudy. Mathieu, an LSU alum, moves all over the field so he is not going to line up against the Alabama product on every play but likely will have at least a few showdowns. This Southeastern Conference clash should be entertaining.
Who wins? The last time Denver beat K.C., Peyton Manning was the quarterback. The Broncos have since lost nine in a row to the Chiefs. Playing a mile above sea level with a limited crowd, Denver should keep it close, but the Chiefs are a better team.
Chiefs, 28-24